Friday, March 20, 2015

Although bottling can destroy much food value, it does provide substance and calories, as well as comfort. Grape juice and apple juice are said to retain most of the food value when bottled. I bottle because we have the produce on our property to do it. If I would have to buy fresh things to bottle, I wouldn't do it, but would buy the items already canned. I prefer to buy rather than grow and bottle green beans.I bottle the following:Apple JuiceApplesauceApricot JellyBlackberry JamCorn (occasionally, but prefer it frozen)Elderberry Jelly and JuiceGrape Juice (White, Red and Dark)Nectarine JamPeachesPearsPicklesSalsa (both tomato, pear and peach)TomatoesZucchini-Tomato MixAnaheim PeppersPepper JellyTurkey/Chicken brothPotatoesCarrots

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Silver
in various forms has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial agent. In the 1800s and early 1900s people put
silver coins in their water barrels to kill microbes and make the water potable.

Use
of silver, once common, faded with the advent of antibiotics. Recently, concerns about overuse of
antibiotics has lead to a resurgence of silver's popularity.

It
may be a good addition to your survival supplies.

According
to the study mentioned above, the solution "exhibits an equal or broader
spectrum of activity than any one antibiotic tested." It has been shown to kill more than 600 types
of harmful bacteria. Can be combined
with other antibiotics and is safe for babies and children.

It
has a fairly long shelf life. Not
indefinite, but definitely in the many years category. Should be stored in brown bottles, at room
temperature in a dark location.

Personally,
I have been using colloidal silver for years, but not all the time. I make my
own with a colloidal silver maker. It
uses distilled water and silver, which I intend to have a good supply of.

It
is stellar for external infections such as cuts, abrasions or wounds, can be
sprayed on easily. It works amazingly
well on any kind of eye infection, especially "pink eye", curing it
most times within one day. Also useful
for ear infections, sore throats and sinus infections. Can be put in a diffuser to be dispersed into
lungs and bronchials. Can be taken
internally for "stomach flu".
Spray into the nose at the first sign of a cold.

1. For prevention of illnesses and
infection: Take one teaspoon per day on
an empty stomach. (late night suggested).
Swish it around the mount for a minute or two before swallowing to
reduce bacteria in the mouth.

2. Sterilize food preparation surfaces. Swab
cutting boards and allow to dry without wiping off. Use a tablespoon or so on your dish cloth.

3. Can be used as a personal deodorant.

4. Add to cut flowers, a tablespoon or so in the
vase to extend the freshness of water and flowers.

When we were living in Morgan, the Bergman family (of Porterville) cut off electricity, phone, gas, water, etc and lived an entire year on their own in 1973 in a renovated old church. They quit jobs and pulled their children out of public school. In 1977, Mary published a book entitled "Survival Family--How One Family Prepared For and Lived One Year of Experimental Disaster." The next year I met Mary personally and helped her with a breastfeeding problem. (She had since had two more children, born at home.) She gave me an autographed copy of the book she wrote.

Just 4 years later in 1982, the family moved to Missouri. Shortly after their move there, Mary Bergman was tragically murdered and two of her children, shot and injured. If interested, you can read more about all the details by viewing this link: "Mary Bergman murder".

The book she gave me disappeared shortly after we moved to Ogden. Recently, I obtained another copy and found it extremely fascinating. I will share some of highlights in this blog.

Every so often, I will add a post of an item that should be in your preparedness stash. It might be food, first aid or something else that is manifested to me. I invite your comments and suggestions. I will also be adding insights from Mary's book...as I feel inspired to.